Mapping our heritage
The first phase of cultural mapping and recording of Cape Vancouver Peninsula at Quaranup began last week.
Picture by Toyah Shakespeare: Sam Oreo, Fiona Simpson, Curtis Wynn, Josh Woods (back row) with cultural project leader Shandelle Cummings, cultural project officer Graeme Simpson and Michael Simpson with a lizard trap.
It is a special place for local Noongar groups, and the Albany Aboriginal Heritage Reference Group, made up of 12 family groups from the region, is keen to record its significance.
The project has assistance from South Coast Natural Resource Management, the City of Albany, Applied Archaeology and a $26,000 Coastwest grant.
Mapping has already uncovered gnamma holes, or water holes carved into rock, as well as artefacts from tool making and lizard traps.
Descendent of the traditional owners, Treasy Woods, said Quaranup was a beautiful spot.
“To our people this area is very significant,” she said.
“According to my grandfather, young men were initiated into manhood here. It’s also a lookout.
“I would like the area kept in its natural state, so we can bring kids to teach culture and show future generations where we came from.”
More than 50 Noongar elders and community members and Applied Archaeology’s Miles Mit8chell mapped the area during the week.
A series of workshops will soon be held with reference groups.
They will develop management recommendations for the area, based on understanding and awareness of indigenous cultural heritage, and present these to the City of Albany.
These recommendations could include further work by South Coast NRM’s Restoring Connections crew.
South Coast NRM cultural project leader Shandell Cummings said the sites would be entered in the Department of Indigenous Affairs database.
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